Is it an absolute that garters must hibernate? I'm not planning on breeding her, and where I live, there aren't any places where I could "store" her without the risk of freezing her to death. No basement, no garage, and my roomie would have a coronary if he opened the 'fridge and saw a snake in bag (hmmmm...there's an idea, though completely off-topic..heheheh).

I don't want to throw off any "internal clock" she may have by letting her stay awake & active over the winter. She'll be good & warm in her tank where she is (my bedroom), and she loves salmon, tilapi, and I'm sure I can get her onto pinkies for over the winter months. Food and heat won't be problems, sooo....If I'm not gonna breed her, can she stay up for the winter?